Page 21 of Baby Boy

“Wow,” Avery voiced. The entry opened into a large hall but he could see the living room not far away.

Jace chuckled at his back. “That’s a good response. Wait until you see what I have for you upstairs.”

Avery turned his face up to Jace, trusting that he’d take care of everything.

“I’m going to hang your backpack right here on the coat rack, okay?”

Avery nodded.

“Do you need anything out of it?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Come along, baby boy.” Jace retook his hand and led him through the comfy-looking living room then through to the stairs. They went up the stairs side by side before Jace turned him to the closed door on the left. He stopped. “I want you to know that I’ve never brought another boy to this room. I’d started working on it, ordering the furniture and putting things together before I had a boy in mind. When I met you, I finally saw the full vision.”

Avery squeezed his hand. This felt like a really important moment between them.

Jace took a deep breath before he reached out and turned the knob pushing open the door.

Avery took a tentative step forward.

“Here.” Jace flipped on the light and Avery gasped.

The walls were covered with the most amazing animals he’d ever seen. There were monkeys, lions, elephants, bears, otters, penguins, a gorilla, giraffes, and more. A baby hippo was even playing hide and seek where two walls met. It was absolutely breathtaking.

The small bed had a giraffe bedspread and fluffy pillows with matching pillowcases. There were even three different-sized stuffed giraffes sitting up by the pillows.

He moved to the middle of the room and made a circle. He didn’t look too long at the changing table that had a shelf above it holding diapers, wipes, and other items. That he would think about at another time. Instead he gazed at the giant bookcase that held books, more stuffed animals, and small containers that looked like they were filled with toys. He twitched his fingers as he itched to drop down on the floor and play. Like really play, making up games and just having fun. Avery found himself bouncing to the tips of his toes.

This room was meant just for him. No one else. It meant that Jace saw him as more than just a boy for a few days or weeks. Jace wanted to keep him for much longer.

In the corner was a huge chair that looked like it would be really comfy. It would be perfect for Jace to sit in with Avery in his lap. Avery wondered if he could talk Jace into sitting up there after dinner just so he could look at all his stuff. That one room had more things than his current apartment or even his room when growing up.

“I…I…” He had no words. It was perfect.

“Do you like it?” Jace asked.

Avery spun around. Jace was still standing in the doorway. “It’s amazing.”

The way that Jace lit up made Avery feel like he’d finally done something right. “How about we get you changed so we can get dinner dealt with? Little boys need their strength if they’re gonna play. After we eat, we can come back up here and maybe you can play with some of your toys.”

He nodded with excitement. There was so much that he could see—he wouldn’t know where to start.

“Sit on the bed for me, baby,” Jace told him.

“Sure.” Avery walked back over and sat like he’d been directed. As Jace crossed to the dresser, Avery reached over and petted the smallest giraffe. It was soft and would be perfect to sleep with. The perfect size to use lily to keep him warm. Giraffes probably got cold too.

“You can pick your giraffe up,” Jace told him. He’d pulled out what looked like pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. They looked like something anyone would wear to relax in, except for the design. The navy pants had little red race cars across them and the red shirt had a matching blue race car on it.

Avery lifted the small giraffe up and rubbed it across his face. He was practically shaking with how much he wanted to wear the outfit that Jace had picked out for him.

He jumped when a hand landed on his knee. Jace was crouching in front of him.

“Shh, it’s okay.” Jace held out the outfit. “Is it okay for me to help you dress?”

Cuddling his new stuffed animal to his chest, he shrugged.

“If you want me to stop, just say the word. I can give you some privacy and you can come down when you’re ready.”

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